‘Aspen Acres’ fire estimated 100,000+ acres burned, over 800 structures lost

CUSTER COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) - Officials confirm that the "Aspen Acres" fire has burned approximately 100,224 acres with 61% containment as of 7:15 p.m. on July 17.

According to the Alaska Incident Management Team, the number of structures lost is believed to be around 850 as of the morning of July 10.

On July 17, officials confirmed that at least 241 homes/commerical properties have been lost in Pueblo County. PCSO says 208 are in Beulah, 28 in Rye, 2 in Colorado City, and 3 in unincorporated Pueblo County.

At least 85 homes in Custer County have also been lost, according to the Custer County Sheriff's Office.

Find the latest Aspen Acres wildfire containment status and evacuation orders here → 

According to the Custer County Sheriff, Zone C9A is the area north of Highway 165, and Zone C5C, along North Creek Road, will be able to return home starting at 9 a.m. on July 17. Officials say starting on July 18, people in zones C9B will also be able to return home.

Mandatory Evacuations:

• Click here for a map showing evacuation status.
  • Places in the blue boxes are in pre-evacuation status.
• US Forest Service to the East of where Williams Creek crosses into the National Forest and then following Williams Creek North to where Williams Creek intersects with CR 630 and following CR 630 generally north to where CR 630 intersects with CR 636 and continuing to follow CR 630 west to where it intersects with CR 634 (Gardner Road) and then running due North to the County Line.

Pre-evacuations:

• Towns of Rockvale, Coal Creek and Williamsburg
• 3R Road
• Colorado City
• Signal Mountain
• Lake Beckwith to Crow Cutoff
• East of Highway 165 to Ray Blvd.
• South of Highway 96 and North of Highway 78 in Pueblo County
• Custer County Highway 96 from Westcliffe to the Pueblo County Line
• All evacuation orders have been lifted for the Beulah area; re-entry cards are no longer required.
• Click here for more locations. Places in the blue boxes are under pre-evacuation status.
  

Lifted evacuations:

• West of I-25, North of Cummings St., East of S. Crow Cutoff, East of Haynes Rd and South of Jerry Bass Lane.
• Fremont County locations have been placed on awareness status.
• On July 13, the Fremont County Sheriff's Office downgraded zones under pre-evacuation status to awareness status.

Road Closures:

• For the most accurate updates on road closures from the Colorado Department of Transportation, please visit https://www.cotrip.org/home

Evacuation shelters:

• Pueblo County: St. Charles Mesa Recreation Center
  • Small animals are welcome.
  • 1650 Cooper Pl, Pueblo, Co, 81006
• Custer County: Lange Hall
  • Lange South 3rd Street, Westcliffe, CO, 81252
• Custer County: Pathfinder Park
  • Pathfinder Regional Park, Colorado 115, Florence, CO 81226

Large Animals:

• Colorado State Fairgrounds.
  • Enter on Gate 7 westbound on Small Ave.
  • Anyone with livestock may park their RVs at the Colorado State Fairgrounds. Check-in will be required at Gate 7.
  • Trucks and trailers are staged at the Colorado State Fairgrounds for livestock evacuation needs. Please contact the Pueblo CART Livestock Division — Community Animal Response Team at 719-251-0245.
  • If you'd wish to volunteer and help the Pueblo CART Livestock Division, please fill out this form: Volunteer Sheet for Pueblo CART Livestock - Aspen Acres Fire

Custer County Residents:

• If you're a Custer County resident looking for information on your impacted area, please call Custer County's Non-Emergency number at 719-792-6411.

Donations:

• If you want to help or need assistance from CART, please call these phone numbers: CART needs grass hay and senior horse grain at the State Fair grounds (gate 7)
  • Donations: 719-850-2139
  • Volunteers: 719-340-0772
  • Rescue Needs: 719-251-0245
• For those wishing to donate prepared food, contact our Joint Information Center (719-583-4640) to coordinate.
  • Donation information with United Way of Southern Colorado 719-225-8580; 1591 Taos Rd., Building D, is open from 7 AM - 7 PM as of Friday, July 3rd.
  • Visit www.unitedwaysoco.org/emergencyinfo to donate, view the current list of needed items, and learn more.
  • Clothing donations are not needed at this time.
• Pathfinder Park (Fremont County), 6639 HWY 115, Florence, Colorado
  • 719-618-8731
• Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region: visit the link to make a monetary donation, view the current list of needed items, and learn more here at https://www.hsppr.org/resources/aspenacresfire/

Disaster Survivor Portal:

This Entry form will ask you about damages to your property, as well as what needs have come up for you post-disaster.

Re-entry resources:

Here's a PDF to learn more about what the D.A.C. can help you out with: Aspen Acres Fire DAC

• Returning Home After a Fire Checklist
• Food Safety After a Fire
• Facts about livestock disposal following a fire
• Bottle Water Advisory
  • Pine Drive
  • Signal Mountain
• Air Quality and Outdoor Activity Guidance
• Cleanup Guidance and Assistance
  • VOAD Clean-up Hotline 970-283-7325
• PPE and Respiratory Protection

PCSO released the following drone video showing the Pine Drive area in Beulah following the fire:

This article will be updated.

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